Some may scoff at the legitimacy of Butch Davis’ chances at a collegiate reunion in South Florida. At least one book, though, is taking it seriously, at least as far as the odds go and how they’re attempting to control the flow of wagers coming in.
With Al Golden‘s none-too-surprising exit from Miami, coaches from across the country have lined up to either publicly stump for the job -- Davis -- or deny having an interest after having their names attached to the opening -- Charlie Strong, James Franklin. After digesting all available information, the BookMaker Sportsbook has made Davis the “odds-on favorite to be the Hurricanes’ next head coach.”
Interestingly, the BookMaker‘s odds feature just one current head coach of a Power Five program: Kentucky’s Mark Stoops. That, more than anything, tells you about the current state of The U and the attractiveness of the job.
Anyway, here is that particular book’s complete early odds on Golden’s potential successor at The U.
Butch Davis -135
Mario Cristobal +360
Rob Chudzinski +800
Justin Fuente +1000
Greg Schiano +1100
Mark Stoops +1000
Tom Herman +1800
One note on this: Jon Gruden was, at one point, the wagering favorite to be the next head coach at Miami before he wasn’t... and the next head coach at Tennessee before he wasn’t... and so on and so on and so on.
That being said, I’ll just reiterate what I wrote very early Sunday morning, prior to Golden’s firing, when it comes to a replacement: If it’s me, I’m starting my search in Memphis and not leaving until Justin Fuente puts his Herbie Hancock on a contract. Yes, there’ll be competition as Fuente’s is seemingly the “it” guy on the coaching carousel this cycle, but a pursuit of Fuente should be at the very top of athletic director Blake James’ to-do list.